Type-writing-machine table.



No. 670,370.. l. Patented Mar. I9, 190i.

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TYPE WRITlNG MACHINE TABLE.

(Application led Aug. 16, 1900.)

QN o M o d el.)

union.

WILLIAM WHITWELL DEWHURST, OF ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA.

TYPE-WRITING-IVIACHINE TA-BLE.

SPECFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 670,370, dated March 19,1901.

Application filed August 16, 1900. Serial No. 27,097- (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WILLIAM WHITWELL DEWHURST, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at St. Augustine, in the county of St. John and Stateof Florida, have invented a new and usefulType-Writing-Machine Table, ofwhich the following is a specification.

This invention relates to type-writingma chine supports, and has specialreference to the adapt-ation of a table of ordinary height for use iuthe support of a type-writing machine.

To this end the invention primarily contemplates a simple and practicalconstruction of table having means for the complete housin-g of atype-writing machine when not in use, while also permitting the same tobe readily drawn out to a convenient position for manipulation by theoperator. In the accomplishment of these objects the invention dispenseswith the necessity for expensive type-writer cabinets or desks, while atthe same time securing all of the advantages thereof in the way ofsupporting the machine in position for use and completely covering orhousing` it when not in use. Besides, the invention provides forcombining a table-surface at the ordinaryand convenient level with aninexpensive type-writer cabinet.

With these and other objects in view, which will more readily appear asthe nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists inthe novel construction, combination, and arrangement of partshereinafter. more fully described, illustrated, and claimed.

The essential features of the invention involved in the adaptation of anordinary form of table to support type-writing machines are necessarilysusceptible to some modification without departing from the spirit orscope of the invention; but the preferred embodiment of the improvementsis illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is aperspective View of a typewriting-machine table, illustrating themachine uncovered and drawn out to position for use. Fig.` 2 is a frontelevation of the tab le, showing the covers for themachine pocket orcompartment closed. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view on the line 3 3 ofFig. 2. Fig. 4

is a transverse sectional view on the line l 4 of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is adetail plan view of the slidable supporting-shelf which carries thesponding drawings.

In carrying out the invention the saine may be embodied for use inconnection with any form of desk or table, but is preferably associatedwith a table l of ordinary height and of the usual fiat-top type. Asshown in the drawings, the table l is provided with the table-mp2,supported by the usual legs 3, and although the table maybe of the verysimplest form and embody nothing but the legs and the fiat top 2, yet,as shown in the drawings; the same may be equippedvwith ordinary drawers4, drawing out at the front thereof and arranged, respectively, atopposite sides of the central portion of the same. These are the usualparts of an ordinary flattop table and do not constitute essentialfeatures of the present invention; but the simplest embodiment of thelatter consists in providing the table at the top thereof With a centraltransversely-arranged depressed machine-holding pocket or compartment 5,the iioor or base 6 of which compartment lies a sufficient distancebelow the plane of the table-top 2 to provide for holding the machinealways at the proper elevation for operation without raising or loweringthereof, besides providing for the proper housing or covering of thetype-writing machine by acover of minimum height. The said centraltransversely-arranged depressed pocket or compartment is of a generalrectangular shape and essentially consists of the iioor or base 6 andthe surrounding vertical walls 7, joined to the table-top and pendenttherefrom in order to provide a well-defined compartment which receivestherein the type-writing machine when not in use. The pocket or coinpartment 5 is Open at the top and front end thereof and is provided uponopposite side walls thereof with parallel longitudinally-disposedguideways 8, lying contiguous to the iioor or base 6 of the pocketorcompartment and slidably receiving the opposite side edges of thesliding supporting-shelf 9 for the typewriting machine, which machine isdesignated in the drawings bythe reference-number 10.

The sliding supporting-shelf 9 for the typeparts in the several figuresof the IOO writing machine is substantially coextensive With the pocketor compartment 5, so as to be received entirely within the same when thetype-writing machine is notin nse,and in order to permit of the machinebeing drawn well to the front of the pocket or compartment and clearthereof the said supporting-shelf 9 may be provided at the rear cornersthereof with the holding-arm extensions 11, which hold within theguideways 8 when the body portion of the shelf is drawn out of thepocket or compartment 5.

To provide for properly housing or covering the machine when within thepocket or compartment 5 therefor, there is arranged upon the table amain box-cover 12, inverted upon the table-top overl the pocket orcompartment- 5 and essentially consisting of a rear fixed section 13 anda front swinging or hinged section 11A, having the top thereof hinged at15 to the front edge of the top of the rear fixed section 13. Thismanner of hinging the two cover-sections 13 and 14 together permits thefront section 14 to he swung upward from the table-top and back upon therear fixed section 13, as plainly shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, so asto completely uncover the pocket or compartment 5 and expose the machineto view.

When the hinged cover-section 14C is lowered in front of the rear fixedsection 13, the pendent rim thereof rests directly upon the table-top,and the front portion 16 of the pendent rim Of the cover-section 14 isdesigned to register [insh with the top edge of the supplemental frontcover-leaf 17, which is hinged at one edge, as at 1S, to the front edgeof the floor or base 6 of the pocket or compartment 5. The saidsupplemental cover-leaf 17 is designed to be swung up to a verticalposition in front of the front edge of the shelf 9 to hold the latter inthe com partlnent and also so as to cover the open front end of thepocket or compartment 5 or Vthat portion thereof lying below the planeof the table-top 2, and when in such position the same is detachablyconnected with the front end of the hinged cover-section le byafastening 19, common to both of the covers, thus permitting of thesingle fastening 19 holding hoth covers in locked flush relation. Thesaid fastening 19 may consist of a hook and pin or any equivalent meansfor accomplishing the result stated.

XVhen the two covers are unfastened and the main hinged cover-section141- thrown back upon the rear fixed section 13, the supplemental frontcover 17 will fall. to its lowered position, so as to uncover the frontof the pocket or compartment 5. A stop-cord or equivalent connection 20,connecting the supplemental front cover 17 with the table, prevents thesaid front cover from falling entirely ont of convenient position forthe operator at the table, besides holding the front cover 17 in such aposition that the same will constitute an auxiliary brace or support forthe shelf 9 when in its extended position. Vith the two covers open itis simply necessary for the operator to draw the shelf 9 ontward toprovide for bringing the machine to a convenient position for use.

From the foregoing it is thought that the constrl'lction, operation, andmany ad vantages of the herein-described type-writingmaehine table willhe readily apparent to those skilled in the art without furtherdescription, and it will be understood that various changes in the form,proper-thm, and minor details of construction may loe resorted towithout del'iarting from the principle or sacrificing any of theadvantages of the in- Vention. Y

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new, and desiredto be secured. by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a type-writing-machine support, a table having a machine-receivingcom partment which project-s above and below the table-top, amachine-supporting shelf slidably mounted within the compartment, andseparate covers respectively for the top and front sides of saidcompartment, the front cover being hinged to swing up and conceal thefront edge of the shelf and to hold the latter within the compartment,the two covers serving to com pletely house the machine and shelf.

2. In a type-writing-machine support, a ta ble having amachine-receiving compartment and guideways therein, a machinesupportingshelf slidably engaging said guideways and adapted to be housed withinthe compartment, and also slid outward to an ex tended position, and acover for the front side of the, compartment having a limiteddownwardswinging movement, and arranged when open, to constitute anauxiliary hori Zontal support for the shelf when in its ex tendedposition, and means for limiting the downwartl-swinging movement of saidfl'ont cover.

3. In a type\vritil1g machine support, a ta ble having a flatwriting-top and provided with a centrally-located compartment depressedhelow the plane of the top, a machine-supporting shelf slidably mountedin the bottom of the compartment, a box-cover inverted over the top ofthe compartment, and forming a portion thereof, and comprising a hingedfront section with a pendent front side, a separate front cover hingedat the front of the base of the compartment and adapted to swing n pward to a vertical position in front of the shelf to meet the edge ofthe box-cover, and common fastening means for the front and top covers.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own 1 have hereto affixedmy signature in the presence of two witnesses.

WlhhlAlll iflll'lll'lililr DEWllUltS'l.

l/Vitnesses:

D. L. DUNHAM, GEO. W. Glens, Jr.

IZO

